27 Wildcats Qualify for NCAA West Preliminary in Sacramento

May 17, 2018 | Track & Field

By: 27 Wildcats Qualify for NCAA West Preliminary in Sacramento

MANHATTAN, Kansas – Twenty-seven members of the Kansas State men's and women's track and field team qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary to be held at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California on May 24-26, the NCAA announced on Thursday, as the Wildcats look to punch their NCAA Championship tickets.

In total, 27 individuals, including 18 women and nine men, qualified for the preliminary round, representing 32 entries in 18 events. Eleven individuals are ranked in the top-12 of their respective event, while there are nine events, in which, two or more Wildcats earned qualification.

To qualify for the NCAA preliminary rounds, athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective events and best 24 relay times earn berths into the East or West Preliminary competition, depending on geographical location. At the preliminary rounds, the athletes with the top 12 times/marks and the best 12 relay teams at both the East and West Preliminary Round sites will qualify for the NCAA Championships to be held at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday-Saturday, June 6-9.

Among the Wildcat qualifications, 11 individuals are making their first appearance at the NCAA West Preliminary. Junior Ranae McKenzie (400-meter hurdles) and freshman Tejaswin Shankar (high jump) are both ranked first in the West in their respective event.

In addition to the preliminary qualifiers, the NCAA announced the qualifiers in the combined events for the NCAA Championships on June 6-9. Sophomores Nina Schultz and Ariel Okorie qualified in the women's heptathlon, while sophomore Aaron Booth will represent the Wildcats in the men's decathlon.

The berths into the NCAA West Preliminary serve as the culmination of an impressive season for both Wildcat teams, where the women's team won their second-consecutive Big 12 Championship, while the men earned their best conference finish since 1997 of third place with the most points scored in Big 12 history (101).

With the selections announced for the NCAA West Preliminary, the Wildcats will set their sights on Sacramento as they compete at the meet from May 24-26. For more information on the NCAA West Preliminary, including ticket information, a full list of entries and more, click here.

NCAA West Preliminary Women's Qualifiers
A'Keyla Mitchell, 200 meters
Morgan Wedekind, 3,000-meter steeplechase
Kayla Doll, 3,000-meter steeplechase
Ranae McKenzie, 400-meter hurdles
Lauren Taubert, 400-meter hurdles
Rhizlane Siba, High jump
Clare Gibson, High jump
Morgan Coffman, High jump
Wurrie Njadoe, Long jump
Shardia Lawrence, Triple jump
Konstantina Romaiou, Triple jump
Jess St. John, Shot put
Taylor Latimer, Shot put
Gabby Lavington, Shot put
Shadae Lawrence, Discus
Ashley Petr, Discus
Janee' Kassanavoid, Hammer throw
Helene Ingvaldsen, Hammer throw

NCAA West Preliminary Men's Qualifiers
Jullane Walker, 100 meters, long jump
Terrell Smith, 200 meters
Kurt Loevenstein, 800 meters
Tejaswin Shankar, High jump
NaTron Gipson, High jump
Brett Neelly, Shot put, Discus
Mitch Dixon, Hammer throw
Derek Selk, Javelin
Logan Wolfley, Javelin